Additional Coverage:
- Bloodstained Parkland building will be razed. Parent says it’s ‘part of moving forward’ (newsbreak.com)
For over six years, the 1200 building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, stood as a haunting symbol of one of the deadliest school shootings on American soil.
Since the 2018 massacre, where a shooter claimed the lives of 17 individuals on Valentine’s Day, the site had been untouched, preserved for the trial of the gunman. Now, the process to dismantle the building in sections is set to begin on Friday, after weather delays due to heavy rainfall and flooding. Previously sealed off as part of the crime scene, the structure, described by visitors as a grim time capsule with visible bullet holes and bloodstains, is slated for demolition over the coming weeks.
While plans for what will replace the building have not been announced, there have been suggestions from the community for a permanent memorial. Officials have made arrangements for the families of the victims to watch the demolition from a special area within the school grounds.
Tony Montalto, the head of Stand with Parkland and father of victim Gina Montalto, expressed his feelings about the demolition, stating it as a step towards healing, yet emphasizing it doesn’t negate the tragic loss of lives due to overlooked safety protocols. This sentiment echoes in several communities that have faced similar tragedies, leading to the decision to tear down sites like the old Sandy Hook Elementary following the 2012 shooting, and plans to demolish Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, as announced in 2022.
The building’s removal comes after its role in the trial of Nikolas Cruz, who was sentenced to life in prison in November 2022 after being found guilty of 17 counts of murder. The trial included a rare juror visit to the crime scene, illustrating the terror of that day with untouched evidence of the massacre. The outcome, a life sentence for Cruz, left some victim’s families in dismay, especially since prosecutors had sought the death penalty.
Additionally, the building served in a reenactment for a civil lawsuit against Scot Peterson, the school’s resource officer during the shooting, accused of failing to intervene. Despite the accusations, Peterson, who argued he couldn’t pinpoint the source of the gunfire, was acquitted of charges in June 2023.
In response to the Parkland tragedy, a powerful movement for gun control and public safety reform has surged, led by student survivors through the March for Our Lives organization. Their efforts, along with those of the Stand with Parkland group formed by victim’s families, have spurred nationwide advocacy for pragmatic safety reforms and responsible gun ownership.
As demolition proceeds, the Parkland community and the nation grapple with finding ways to honor the memory of the lives lost, while continuing the fight for a future where school safety is paramount.